Calendar For Students Will Differ Next Year

Candace Braun

Along with welcoming a new superintendent this year, the Princeton Regional School District appears to be welcoming other changes, including the adoption of a new school calendar for the 2005-2006 school year that gives students five days off before Thanksgiving break, and only one week's break after the new year.

The calendar year also ends on June 20, 2006, six days later than this year's school year before snow days are added on.

At last week's school board meeting, some parents expressed doubts about the change in the calendar year's schedule.

Mary Gallagher, the parent of three children in Princeton Regional Schools and a resident of Katie's Pond Road, recently wrote a letter to new Superintendent Judith Wilson voicing a concern with the new schedule and how it will affect her children's school experience.

"To have minimal days off from school during January, February, the entire month of March, and half of April provides for an extremely long haul for the children, teachers, and parents," she said in the letter, pointing out that having June 20 as the last day of school before snow days are added could cause students to attend school right up to the beginning of July.

While the calendar year for students will begin on September 8, one day earlier than last year, they will have three additional days off in November as compared to last year, giving them a total of seven days off during one month. Winter break will extend from December 23 through January 2, a similar schedule to this year, but spring break will run from April 10 through April 14, as compared to a break during the fourth week of March in 2005.

"I don't know what process you folks used to conjure up this awful school calendar, but I wish more thought had been given to spacing out our holidays more judiciously," said Ms. Gallagher. Carolyn Hancock, another concerned parent of a Princeton student, asked the school board for an explanation of the calendar at the Board's March 8 meeting.

Ms. Wilson explained that the new calendar will give the district's faculty and staff more opportunities for in-service days, which will be implemented during three of the students' days off in November.

Board President Anne Burns added that the extra break in November gives juniors and seniors more time to visit prospective colleges early on in the year. In addition, giving students time off for election week keeps the district from worrying about having security in the schools during the local voting process, she said.

Ms. Wilson asked that parents be patient and allow the district to try the new calendar this year, adding that if there are problems the Board will go back and reexamine the schedule for the 2006-2007 school year.

The superintendent also said that the district will be in touch with community organizations, such as the YMCA, to help assist parents in finding child care during the school breaks.

The complete calendar for the 2005-2006 school year can be found on the district's website, at http://www2.prs.k12 .nj.us.